Patients with cancer face an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases, as highlighted in a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The study suggests that this risk could be linked to changes in the expression of inflammation‐ and coagulation‐related proteins. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences emphasized the importance of addressing endocrine, kidney, and inflammation‐related risk factors in individuals with cancer.
Previous research has established a connection between cancer and cardiovascular conditions, although the precise genetic and proteomic mechanisms remain unclear. To delve deeper into this association and potential mechanisms, the study examined 3,79,944 participants, including 65,047 individuals with cancer who did not have cardiovascular disease initially. The analysis utilized genome‐wide association studies, phenome‐wide association studies, and proteomic analyses to explore underlying genetic and proteomic factors.
The findings revealed a limited number of shared genetic variations between cancer and cardiovascular issues, such as hypertension and cardiac dysrhythmias. Additionally, the researchers identified nine independent risk factors for cardiovascular mortality, including age, sex, smoking, BMI, blood pressure levels, HbA1c, cystatin C, and neutrophil count. Notably, the likelihood of surviving cardiovascular disease was similar among participants with and without cancer in the first 10 years of follow‐up but declined more rapidly thereafter for cancer patients.
The decline in survival rates among cancer patients after the initial 10 years may be associated with the decrease in overall tumor burden and the resolution of inflammation and coagulation disorders following treatment interventions, the researchers noted.
